Meet Brenna Pixley of Earthcraft Skillshare

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenna Pixley

BRENNA, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

The first time I attended an earth-based gathering- I knew I would be hosting one back home here in Michigan.

I grew up close to nature with a father who took me on morel hunts and pan fishing to fill our bellies with wild food and soul with the wild. As a kid through a teen some of my fondest memories are attending summer camp and the freedom and excitement it brought to be with other like minded kids learning new skills and having fun.

When I was studying in college I was the VP of my Anthropology club at a city college in Long beach, CA. My anthropology studies and art school guided me to the type of learning Earthcraft Skillshare offers. When I returned to MI, I studied with the awe-inspiring herbalist Jim Mcdonald. After completing my intensive with him and that first earth-based gathering, I was offered a teaching position at Tillers International and KVCC, Food Innovations Campus as a herbal and plant identification instructor. I have been teaching at both places for about 8 years.

After birthing 3 children, I knew it was time to give birth to this event! I spent a while traveling to different skills gatherings around the country and learning how their flows went and using it to create Earthcraft. I received two grants from the City of Kalamazoo in 2023 as seed capital to get the roots we needed to establish.
With the help of my team, friends and family we were able to make this community something really special.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It is a challenging road to juggle family life, and other projects with creating a large event. I feel like I could dedicate every working hour to work in special detail and wish I had more hours! I laugh at how many hours it takes on a computer to make sure we can all bang rocks and shoot arrows.

The first year was a real success for the most part. Knowing how a community comes together and can fall apart when the chain is broken is something learned through living it. A weekend event is a small microcosm of what a community can be. What a gift it was to see folks working together, really enjoying learning new skills and using a gift economy.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Earthcraft Skillshare?

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, many people are yearning for deeper connections—to nature, to traditional skills, and to each other. Earthcraft provides a space to slow down, learn practical skills, and rediscover the wisdom of the past in a supportive, hands-on environment.
Whether you’re looking to learn a lost skill, build resilience, or simply find community, Earthcraft welcomes you.

What sets us apart from other events is that we are featuring instructors that have dedicated their careers to these skills, or are very passionate about community and ancestral skills. There are many reenacting events and groups in the area, but this one does not require any special dressing or time period. Come as you are. All of our ancestors were using stone tools, making baskets, foraging, and working with animals at some point. I am really excited this year to offer a Death Tent that is focused on crossing over and honoring our loved ones in more intimate and human traditional ways. We also have activities like archery, tons of kids classes, indigenous leaders, fiber classes, live music and more!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?

Serendipity and human connection are at the forefront of events like mine.

Pricing:

• 275 for adult ticket
• 95 for 8-16
• 25 for 3 -7
• 3-7 Free
• 75 meal ticket (breakfast and dinner)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.earthcraftskillshare.com/
• Instagram: @earthcraftskillshare
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Earthcraftskillshare/